Details

Activities
- Hike
- Trail Running
Riding Area

Death Hollow/Upper Escalante
Escalante, Utah
Difficulty Rating

Black Diamond rate
Hiking SAC Scale

T2 Mountain Hiking
Trail Type

Primitive
Direction

Both Directions
Physical Rating

Hard
Trail Visibility

Sometimes hard to follow
Dogs Allowed

Yes
Global Ranking
#1449 in Hiking [+]
- #16096 in Trail Running
Local Popularity
95 in Hiking [+]
- 100 in Trail Running
Land Owner

Grand Staircase-Escalante NM

Descends into the Calf Creek canyon to the upper falls, which is not as tall as the lower falls, but is less crowded. Mostly a moderate hike, except for the initial 1/4 mile descent/ascent straight down a 40 degree slickrock face; as you stand at the rim looking at the "trail" below you, you will immediately know if you can handle it. Hint: if it is difficult going down or up, just make your own switchbacks.

The trail is primitive, but is generally well-worn and visible across sandy stretches, and well-marked with cairns across the slickrock.

The main trail ends at the TOP of the waterfall, with rather poor views of it. The monument brochure suggests continuing around to the south side of the canyon to get a better view, but this is very sketchy. It is much easier and safer to go back a couple hundred yards and take the spur trail to the bottom.

The elevation gain and exposed southern slope make this a perfect winter hike. If you do come in the summer, bring your swimsuit to enjoy the pools just below or above the falls. The best one is just up around the corner with its own small falls.

Access Info

The trailhead is not signed on the highway. Coming from the south, after the narrowest part of the Hogback, the mesa widens out, then drops away again on the left. Right after this is a dirt road on the left. Between mile markers 80 and 81.

Traditionally Indigenous Territory

More Stats for Upper Calf Creek Falls hike trail trail

Altitude change

-541 ft
Altitude min

5,965 ft
Altitude max

6,506 ft
Altitude start

6,506 ft
Altitude end

5,965 ft
Grade

-10.7%
Grade max

-56.6%
Grade min

6.4%
Distance climb

407 ft
Distance down

4,455 ft
Distance flat

180 ft
Avg time

00:35:00
Avg reverse time

00:38:20
view trail stats

status	date	description
	Jan 19, 2024 @ 8:53am Jan 19, 2024	A perfect dead-of-winter trail! The south-facing slopes mean there is rarely snow on the slickrock. Be sure to backtrack a bit to find the route...
	Apr 21, 2023 @ 3:20am Apr 21, 2023	No problems all the way to the top of the falls. There is a trail that goes down to the bottom of the canyon but stayed up top.
	Sep 6, 2020 @ 9:48am Sep 6, 2020

Upper Calf Creek Falls

Supporters, Builders, Maintainers & Land Managers of Upper Calf Creek Falls Trail

Details

Access Info

Traditionally Indigenous Territory

More Stats for Upper Calf Creek Falls hike trail trail

Upper Calf Creek... Trail Reports

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Technical Trail Features (TTF)

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Nearby Trails

Death Hollow/Upper Escalante